Working with animals is more than just a job, it is a calling – and few live up to that calling like the Dolphin Coast SPCA’s Nathi Ngise.
Ngise has been with the SPCA for the past 11 years and was with an animal grooming service before that.
“I have always wanted to work with animals. When I was still with the grooming service I saw the way animals were often treated and that’s what made me decide to join the SPCA.”
Born in Stanger, the true-blue local boy went to Maphumulo Primary and Shakaskraal High and said he enjoys playing soccer in his free time.
His love of animals and ability to handle them with care recently prompted Ballito’s Jenny Chapman to write a letter to The Courier praising him for his dedication.
Ngise told The Courier that one of the best parts of the job are the rescues – but that they could also be one of the worst parts of the job.
“Seeing the things people do to animals can be very difficult. I have seen too many animals chained up, left without food or water and with owners just laughing it off.”
When asked what the worst call-out was that he had attended, Ngise immediately flinched and said, “The duiker.”
“I had to go pick up a little duiker that had been caught in a cane fire. It was still in the sugarcane and had been stumbling about for days with horrific burns across its body – even its eyes had been burnt out.”
However, the 35-year-old said one can never give up hope, “I just keep fighting harder, it is what I do.”
Ngise said as shocking as many people’s treatment of their animals was, he believes that most really do love them, they just need to be educated.
“Education is key, too many people rush off to get a pet before they know what it will require.”
Before getting an animal, you need to make sure that you can actually provide for it. Pets need food, shelter, vet visits and vaccines and – very importantly – time and affection.
He urged people to report cruelty and mistreatment of animals to the SPCA and, if they have an animal they do not want, to bring it to them rather than abandoning it or denying ownership.
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